This wanderlust moggy had an adventure she will never forget after being found more than 70 miles away in another county.

Brighton feline Squeak caused despair for owner Heather Taylor when she disappeared without trace three weeks ago. Public appeals and help from hoards of neighbours proved fruitless.

That was until Heather, 31, received a phone call from a vet in Farnborough, Hampshire, to say her curious cat had been found safe and well.

Heather, of Islingword Road, said: “She went on a bit of a mission. We put up posters everywhere and on Facebook and everybody in Hanover and Brighton was really pulling together to help find her, but we had no luck.

“But then I got a call on Friday when I was at work from Ashworth Vets in Farnborough to say they had found her. I couldn’t believe it.

“They said they were closing in 30 minutes so I drove up the next day and picked her up.

“She was absolutely fine and really pleased to see me.

“She was perhaps a little freaked out, and so was I, but she’s back home now safe and sound.

“I have no idea how she got so far.

“She’s really noisy when she’s hungry so some guy had been feeding her up there before she was taken to the vet and traced to me with her microchip.”

Heather, who has taken care of 15-year-old Squeak since the cat was eight, thinks her tearaway pet hitched a ride with a van.

She added: “She’s probably a bit senile now and most likely went out for a snoop around the block and ended up getting a ride to Hampshire in a van.

"She’s been really affectionate since she’s been home though so she must have missed me. I’m so glad to have her back, she’s a character.

“The response from all my neighbours, rescue centres and the community was really amazing, so I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who pitched in.

“I can’t thank everyone enough.”